Uncoupling device



A ril 19,1927.

- 1,625,143 A. F. O'CONNOR UNCOUPLING DEVI CE Filed March 1924 2 Sheefs-Sheet l A Inventor Apnl 1927 A. F. O'CONNOR UNCOUPLING DEVICE Filed March 51, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gl piniveflforl y Q44;

dttys.

Patented Apr. 19, 1927.

insane ARTHUR, F. OCQNNOR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINQIS, ASSIGNOR TO UNION RAILWAY EQUIP- MENT 00., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPDRA'IION OF ILLINOIS.

UN COUPLING DEVICE.

Application filed March 31, 1924. Serial No. 703,094.

This invention relates to devices for operating the locks of couplers used on railway rolling stock and particularly to devices used to connect the coupler pin to a lever system provided to permit operation of the coupler pin from the side of the car or structure to which it is attached.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a connecting device between the coupler pin and the operating lever system that can be installed or removed without necessitating the removal. of any of the parts of the lever system or the disn'iantling of the coupler parts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a connecting device to operate the coupler pin, having a limited freedom of motion in the direction ofits length, and to provide sliding parts of such design and material that excess wear will not occur even with prolonged use.

A further object is to provide a connecting device consisting of separate parts that cannot possibly be assembled in any way other than that intended, that may be forc ibly connected without the application of tools, and to provide a device that may be connected and disconnected many times without causing any of its parts to be unfit for further use.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device that will make possible the application and successful use of lever systems provided to allow cars to be coupled and uncoupled from their sides; thus to remove the necessity for the railway employes entering between the cars to couple and uncouple the cars due to inoperative uncoupling devices and the great risk attendant thereto: thus being the cause of a large number of accidents and fatalities among trainmen and also constituting an infraction of the U. S. safety appliance laws.

A further object of this invention is to provide a connecting device of an extensible and movable nature that will withstand con tinued shock and vibration, and that at the same time cannot possibly be unintentionally freed from its holdings.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel features and combinations being set forth in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying draw- 1ngs Fig. l is an elevational View of the con necting device, showing its relation to the lever system and to the coupler pin;

Flg. 2 is a sectional view on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the ar rows;

F at is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of F 1g. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 shows a sectional View partly broken away of the parts of a modified uricoupling device;

Fig. 6 is an end View taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 77 of Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view partly broken away of said modification showing the parts assembled i Fig. 9 is a top plan view showing the c011- necting device as applied to a lever system and a coupler pin;

Fig. 10 is an elevation-a1 view of the construction shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a tool used in disconnecting the members of the improved uncoupling devices;

12 is an elevational view showing the coupler, coupler pin, lever system and con necting device;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the spring clip associated with the modified uncoupling device.

Fig. 1 illustrates the method of connecting an uncoupling rod 3 and a coupler pin 4: by means of a flexible uncoupling device. The tietible uncoupling device is shown supported from the uncoupling rod 3 by an open eye pigtail hook 1 while at the other end of the device is shown a portion of the coupler pin l attached to the device by means of a similar open eye pigtail hook 5. The hooks are constructed so that lines connecting similar points on the two hooks would lie in parallel planes and are connected together, as illustrated in Figures 2, 5 and 8 in a mannor such that they could not possibly acquire an} other position relative to each other. A pair of holes 6, 6 are provided to allow the introduction of a special plier-like tool. These holes are diametrically opposite each other as shown in Fig. 3.

As shown in. Fig. 2. one pigi'tail hook l is made integral witl a socket F and the other pigrtai'l hook 5 is prolonged to torin a lra.i e'ht projection or shank ill] and is proride-d to he introduced into the sorket 'lno w n-inns ll. II. are rivetwl. one on each side. to the projection 10, hr the rivet l2 and recline in recesses on. 3G each ol' a depth equal to or greater than the thirkness ot the e irrespondine" spring. Thus the liolted ends of the spring ll. 11 are made tlush with the sides of the projection 10 and the free ends f: the springs 11. 11. are bent so as l protrude 'l'roin the side of the neck or shank, as shown. in Fig. The holes 6. G locaied slightly ahore the shoulders l t. ll and diametrically opposite *arh other are provided to allow the two pa ts ot the. uneouplin g devire to he separated front each other. thus enabling a rapid and simple means otf disconnect on: the coupler pin -1t or the uucoupling; liar it from the pietail hooks and 1. re apective'av. 'lhis is a-coinplished h v torc in; the tree ends of the springs 11 it into their correspoiulingr recesses iltj. 3G and thus allowing the springs to p s the sho 'hlers 54;, ll. When the upeoup'ing device un der tension. the free ends ot the springs 11 t1 rent on the ehouhlers 1%. llwhich pre vent t 'r n it should he noted that a. on the springs ll. ill h the s ll. i-t are resisted not only by the riret lr' hut also by the shouldens 1?). t at the upper ends ol the recesses Pitt. titi.

Fig. 3 shows :1 sectional view of the socket t surrouinliue; the neck or shank 1t] and shows in dotted lines a portion of the tool l"? entering through the holes 6. it need tor distention-tin the uncoupling}; derive. The smut-circular slots 19, are provided n the shoulders li -i ll. respectively. to permit the enlarged heads ot he rivet 12 to ass h the shoulders l t. l-l when the releasing tool, is app ied to the springs ll, ll. The slots Ell. F34,- are provided to reduce the amount of metal required l )1 construction of the socket ineniher ot the ui'ieeupling' device.

l i j. l; shows an end view ot the socket 8 and a sectional viev: the neck ll) which is slidulie into the socket 8. Fig. l also shows the slots 1.? 18 which allow the enlarged ends of the rivet ti to pass h the shou ders let. l-land out of the socket 8. This arrangement iueures that the inenihers will he as seinhled correctly. thus tending: to make the mechanism tool-proof. The cnlare'ed projecting rivet heads and the slots 18. 18 compel the insertion of the neck or shank so iigtail hook 5 to the coupler pin -l hottore assenili iiug the two IIMIIlllClS ot the llllt'nllpllligfl dorico. 'lhus it n: possihlo to employ long extended pn tai. hooks ot' a spiral nature to an uncoupling: dovire and to attach the same to the coupler pin l and to the uncouptiinr rod or lever 23 without nerrssitating the reiuova ot any parts ot' the rod or coupler. From the cellatrurtion o t the evicc shown in Figs. 23 and t. it is ohvious that the neck or shank l0 is restricted from rotation relatively to the socket 8 and thus the ln'issihility o'l? an acridental dism'inuection oi" the hook li'lml the pin at; or rod 23 is eliminated. it thoueh the shank 10 can not rotate with respect to the socket 8. it is; adapted to a liinted tulcseopic one'itudinal nioreiazent. This extensible feature is cl \arly illustrated by Fig. .3. showing the neck or shank l0 ahuttiue against the end of the socket; 3 With the hook l in its closest possihle position to the hook 5. From this position the hooks are free to extend apart until the springs l1. l1 ahut against the shoulders 14. 1-1; respectively.

Hence. a coupling device comprising memners copalilo of being independently attached to the pin and rod respectively. equipped with atta thmcut means incapable of being; disconnected While in operation and l ited to :1 limited longrilttnlinal extensihi i has heen provided by the invention.

l ig ures (i. T 8 and 13 show a modification of the uneouplinodevice. lhe shank or neck 9-) ol the. pie'tnil hook 26 is beveled on two oppm-ritc sides "t l. l-='l' to form an invetted V shaped end or head and providcd with lateralreresses F3'i-2T one helow earh ot' the heveled sides respectively. The socket 37 is made integral. with the pietail hook 2.) and, is cored internally to term a housine; 30 r shaped ad izu'ent the hook end ot the sooket 37. The housing 3! liulg'es outnizn'dly near the center of the socket 3? hut is contrac ed at. its Bower portion, hein g hounded la inner sides or mills parallel to the external surface ot the same near its open end. tlhoulders 3t ttl are provided to restrict the openingol th housing); 30 and to torn: ahutnients to prevent removal ot the sprine; 352. This spring; preferahlv ot the shape shown in Fi 13. having: tlat sides 45. 4:5 arrane'ed to tie .l'dY tit the V shaped end of the neck or shank 25 and also parallel tlat sides 46 4:6 tittiing the inner parallel Walls til El-T ot the socket. This spring is equipped with thing es 28-2F% perpendicw or to the sides 6. 46 which are adapted. to recline in the recesses 27, 27 of the neck 25.

Fig. 5 shows the neck 25 about to enter the housing 30 through the opening36 at the end of the socket 37, while Fig. 8 shows the neck 25 in the housing 30 with the spring clip 32 tightly clamped over it. When the neck 25 is introduced, the V-shaped end enters the small opening 36 of the cii p 32 and causes the same to move into the enlarged belly of the socket 37. In this position the opening 36 of the spring clip 8.4 is free to enpand and allow the shank 25 to enter its cavity and the flanges 28, 28 snap in the recesses 27, 27. Thus it is seen that once the head of the neck 25 is so jacketed that it cannot become detached from the socket 37 it will have a limited freedom of motion in the direction of the length of the uncoupling device 34, thereby making the connection between the hooks 26 and 29 limitedly extensible. I 7

It is seen in Fig. 6 that the entrance to the housing of the socket 37 is rectangular in shape and that a shank or neck of rec tangular cross-section could not rotate within said housing. Thus the hook 29 of the socket. 37 cannot rotate relatively to the hook 26 of the shank 25 and for this reason the spiral hooks cannot be detached by jar or vibration from their respective holdings and cannot get in a position where they will kink or bind in the eyes 52 and 53 or either of them.

The invention provides a limited longitudinally extensible uncoupling device comprising members restricted from rotation relatively to each other and capable of being assembled after attachment. The latter feature makes possible the employment of extended spiral pigtail hooks that may be inserted in openings, spiraled into a vertical position and then connected together. Thus a secure attachment is obtained without necessitating the removal of any parts of the coupler pin or the uncoupling rod.

Figs. 9, 10 and 12 show the uncoupling device 34: in its intended position connecting the coupler pin a to the uncoupling bar or rod 33 by means of which the pin t may be lifted or lowered from the side of the car.

Fig. 11 shows the type of tool adapted for use in disconnectin the uncou 31in device.

This tool comprises two members 40, 4O pivoted in pincher-like fashion at il and bent so as to produce a compressive force at their jaw ends 39, 39 when the handles i2, 42 are pressed together.

The bar 33 of Fig. 10 is shown connected to the pin 4 by the connecting device 34 and in Fig. 12 the connecting device 34 is shown in its various positions by dotted lines 50, 5O illustrating the degree of lateral flexibility provided for the device to permit relative movement of cars or the means for securing uncoupling. In Fig. 10 the uncoupling bar 33 is provided with an arm or lever 3 and an eye 52 through which the pigtail hook 1 is spiraled and the pin 4 is provided with an eye 53 through which the hook 5 is spiraled. The hooks 5 and 1 are by means described capable of being connected after attachment to the pin 4: and to the rod 33 respectively so as to provide a separable limitedly extensible uncoupling device adapted to compensate for vibration and for end play in the coupler. Thus it is seen that extended spiral pigtail hooks 1 and 5 may be employed and attached to or spiraled through the eyes 52 and 53 respectively before the uncoupling device is assembled.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in the details and arrangements of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention defined by the claims hereto appended, and it is therefore desired not to restrict to the precise construction herein disclosed.

Having thus fully described and shown an embodiment of the invention, what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

I claim:

1. In mechanism for coupling and un coupling cars, the combination with a lock ing and unlocking device, of separable means adapted to connect said unlocking and locking device to operating mechanism, a flexible abutting means on parts of said separable means provided to restrict motion and to prevent separation of said separable means, rigid abutting means on parts of said separable means, and clamping means provided to make a portion of said flexible abutting means fast to said separable means.

2. In mechanism for coupling and uncoupling cars, the combination with a looking and unlocking device, of separable means adapted to connect said lockin and unlocking device to operating mechanism, rigid abutting means on parts of said separable means, flexible abutting means on parts of said separable means, and means of access to said flexible abutting means provided to permit manipulation of said flexible abutting means.

3. A combination with a coupler, of a lockingpin, an unlocking lever and means connecting said pin and lever comprising a pair of members provided with hooks engaging said lever and pin and means connecting said members together detachably comprising means on said members automatically in ter-engaging upon axial movement of said members toward each other.

4. The combination with a coupler, of a locking pin, an unlocking lever and means connecting said pin and lever comprising a pair of members, one of said members being provided with a housing and the other of said members having means entering said housing, one of said members being provided with an abutment and flexible means on the other of said members co-operating with said abutment to hold said members from separation.

5. The combination with a coupler ot a locking pin, an unlocking; lever and means co11nc1ti n said pin and lover comprising a pair oi members one o'lf said members being: provided with a housing and the other of said members havirni: means entering said ll()Ih-5l1l $.l, one ol said nicn'ibcrs beiue providcd with an abutment and llexible means on the other oi said members normally cooperation with said abutment to hold said members from separation, said flexible means being adius able to permit separation o'i' said members.

(i. The combination with a coupler, of a locking: pin. an unlocking: lever and means ronnectiug said pin and lever comprising a pair of members. one o1 said members being provided with a housing: having); a l'tfilillCtOtl eutrzuu'e and the other oi said members havinn; means entering said housing, one of said menilwrs being provided with an abutment and flexible means on the other of said members co-operating with said aluitmcnt to hold said members from separatioin said llexible means being distortable out of its normal position to pass through said entrance.

7. The con'ibination with a couplen of a locking piin an unlocking lever and means COlillQiitiiijj-j said pin and lover conun'ising a pair of members. one of said members being! provided with a housing having a restricted entrance and the other of said members hav ing: means entering said housing, one of said members being provided with an abutment and flexible means on the other of said members cooperating with said abutment to hold said members lrom separation said flexible means being! distortable out oi? its normal position to pass through said entrance before engagement therooil with said other member.

8. In mechanism for rou 'ilingr and uncoupling cars the combination with a locln inn and unlocking: device, of means for operatii'ig the same, separable, convenable. connectiup; means provided to connect said inn locking: and locking: device to said operating means, riggid abutting; means provided on said convenable connecting means flexible abutting: means provided on said abutting means, clamping; means adapted to secure said flexible abutting; means fast to said convenable connecting means at one end and allow said flexible abutting; means to pro trude at the other end, a recess provided on said convenable conncctimr means adapted to receive the protruding end of said flexible abutiua means. and means of attachment made integral with said convcnable connecting means adapted to connect said convenable connecting means to operating mechanism and to said locking and unlocking dc vice.

9. In an uncoupling and coupling device, the combination with spaced apart books, of a connection between the same, comprising means on one of said hooks engaging with means on the other of said hooks to normally prevent separation thereof, but movable to permit separation of one book from another by movement axially of said connection, while made last to their respective holdings, said connect-ion comprising extensible means adapted to permit a variation in the distance between said spaced aparthooks.

10. The combination with a coupler, of a locking pin, an unlocking lever and means connecting said pin and lover comprising a pair oi? members provided with hooks engaging said lover and pin and means rOnnectimr said members by axial movement thereot toward each other after cngnu euiont with said lover and pin.

ill. The combination with a coupler, of a locking; pin, an unlockii'ig' lover and moans connecting said pin and lover cmnprising a pair of members provided with books ongagine' said lever and pin and means conuni-ting said members by movement thereof toward each other in substantially a straight line after engagement with said lever and pin.

12. The combination with a coupler, of a locking pin, an unlocking lever and means connecting said pin and lover comprising a pair of members having; means thereon automatically interlocking to connect the same upon axial movement of said members into engagement with each other, said means comprising a fixed abutment on one of said mem- 1301's and movable means on the other of said members normally engaging said abutn'ient.

The combination with an uncoupling lover and a coupler loch, ot extensible and contractible means connecting said lever and lock comprising a pair oi separable members and abutments on said members to limit the relative movement of said members in both directions, certain of said abutments being movable out of normal position relative to the member upon which they are mouu ed to permit separation of said members.

lit. The combination with a coupler, of a locking pin, an unlockinglever and means connecting said pin and lover comprising a pair of members having); means thereon interlocking to connect the same, comprising means movabl mounted on one of said members normally engaging fixed means on the other of said members but movable out of such position to avoid said fixed means and permit separation of said members.

15. Uncoupling mechanism comprising sepa ate hooks, one adapted to be connected to operating mechanism on a car and the other to coupler mechamsm, and interlocking devices one on one hook and the other on the other hook said interlocking devices being adapted to be interlocked by relative axial movement of said devices after said hooks are respectively connected to said operating mechanism and to said coupler mechanism.

16. Uncoupling mechanism comprising two separate and independent attaching means, one adapted to be connected to operating mechanism on a car and the other to coupler mechanism thereon and interlocking mechanism comprising separate elements, one connected to one of said attaching means and the other to the other attaching means, said separate elements being adapted to be connected by relative axial movement of said devices and Without rotation thereof to complete the interlocking operation after said attaching means have been connected to the operating mechanism and to the coupler mechanism.

17. Uncoupling mechanism comprising a member having a pigtail hook spiraled 360 ormore and adapted to be connected to operating mechanism on a car a member having a pigtail hook also spiraled 360 or more and adapted to be connected to coupler mechanism on the car, and means on said members for connecting the same after being connected respectively to said operating mechanism and coupler mechanism Without removal thereof from the car.

In testimony whereof I have signed in name to this specification on this 29th day of March, A. D. 1924.

ARTHUR F. OCONNOR. 

